EXPERIMENT INFORMATION
Effect of Gravitational Context on EEG Dynamics: A Study of Spatial Cognition, Novelty Processing and Sensorimotor Integration (Neurospat)
Principal Investigators
Research Area:
Behavior and performance
Species Studied
Scientific Name: Homo sapiens Species: Human
Study Type
Description
OBJECTIVES:
This experiment involves recording of the electroencephalographic activity of the brain (EEG dynamics) and event related potentials (ERP) during the performance of a visual-orientation perception and visuo-motor tracking task that humans and astronauts may encounter on a daily basis. Within the experiment, five cognitive processes (Perception, Attention, Memorization, Decision and Action) were studied. The stimulus set also contained task-irrelevant novel visual stimuli to allow assessment of electrophysiological correlates of novelty processing. Psychophysical analyses were measured during these tasks. EEG and ERP recordings were also collected to allow the evaluation of the arousal levels of the subjects. In addition to conventional spectral analysis, EEG were quantified with maps of linear and nonlinear complexity. As the novel conditions of microgravity accompanied by a multitude of stressors may place an increased load on the cognitive capacity of the human brain, it was hypothesized that sensory signals and motor responses must be processed and interpreted in a new reference frame.
This experiment involves recording of the electroencephalographic activity of the brain (EEG dynamics) and event related potentials (ERP) during the performance of a visual-orientation perception and visuo-motor tracking task that humans and astronauts may encounter on a daily basis. Within the experiment, five cognitive processes (Perception, Attention, Memorization, Decision and Action) were studied. The stimulus set also contained task-irrelevant novel visual stimuli to allow assessment of electrophysiological correlates of novelty processing. Psychophysical analyses were measured during these tasks. EEG and ERP recordings were also collected to allow the evaluation of the arousal levels of the subjects. In addition to conventional spectral analysis, EEG were quantified with maps of linear and nonlinear complexity. As the novel conditions of microgravity accompanied by a multitude of stressors may place an increased load on the cognitive capacity of the human brain, it was hypothesized that sensory signals and motor responses must be processed and interpreted in a new reference frame.
Keywords
Data Availability
Archive is complete. No data sets are available for this experiment. Please Contact LSDA if you know of available data for this investigation.
Parameters
Electrocephalogram (ECG)
Electromyogram (EMG)
Eletroencephalogram (EEG)
Event related potentials (ERP)
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Mission/Study Information
| Mission | Launch/Start Date | Landing/End Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expedition 19 | 03/26/2009 | 10/11/2009 | 199 days |
| Expedition 20 | 05/27/2009 | 10/11/2009 | 137 days |
| Expedition 21 | 10/11/2009 | 12/01/2009 | 51 days |
| Expedition 26 | 11/26/2010 | 03/16/2011 | 111 days |
| Expedition 27 | 03/14/2011 | 05/23/2011 | 70 days |
| Expedition 29 | 09/16/2011 | 11/21/2011 | 40 days |
| Expedition 30 | 11/14/2011 | 04/27/2012 | 166 days |
| Expedition 31 | 04/27/2012 | 07/01/2012 | 65 days |
| Expedition 32 | 07/01/2012 | 09/16/2012 | 78 days |
| Expedition 34 | 11/18/2012 | 03/15/2013 | 117 days |
Additional Information
Co-Investigators
Managing NASA Center
Johnson Space Center (JSC)
Responsible NASA Representative
Johnson Space Center LSDA Office
Project Manager: Jessica Keune
Project Manager: Jessica Keune
Institutional Support
European Space Agency (ESA)